How Long Does It Take to Buy a House?

Buying a home is often the largest purchase someone makes—and one of the most complicated. From signing the purchase agreement to getting the keys to your new home, the homebuying process can take weeks or months to complete. Here's a basic homebuying timeline so you know what to expect, plus a few helpful tips for avoiding delays.

Timeline to buy a house, step-by-step

Step 1: Organize your finances (time varies)

Buying a home is a substantial financial commitment, so getting your finances in order is essential. Start by checking your credit report and score to see where you stand. Report any mistakes to the credit agencies and work on improving your score, if necessary.

Next, budget for the upfront and ongoing homeownership costs. Consider local prices for the size house you want, how much you can afford for a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, and closing fees, including how much you’ll need to pay a realtor.

As you get closer to buying a home, organize the documents you'll need for a mortgage so you'll be ready to pounce when you find the perfect home.

Step 2: Get pre-approved (one to two weeks)

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage helps you shop in your price range and demonstrates to real estate agents and sellers that you're a serious buyer who can secure financing.

Mortgage pre-approval happens when your lender conditionally offers you a specific loan amount, interest rate, and monthly payment. This is based on your credit report, employment status, income, assets, and debts. You may want to get pre-approved with multiple lenders to compare offers and find the best rate and terms. But keep in mind: Pre-approval counts as a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can hurt your credit score. The good news is that multiple applications for a single loan count as one inquiry when made within 45 days, minimizing the effect on your credit score.

Step 3: Find a home (average 10 weeks)

With a pre-approval letter in hand and a budget in mind, you're ready to start the home search. While buyers usually start online, most still purchase their home through a real estate agent or broker.

How long will it take to find your perfect property? That can vary quite a bit. For example, buying a house with an all-cash offer can take as few as two weeks. On the other hand, purchasing a home in a red-hot market can take extra time (and be frustrating) if you’re repeatedly outbid.

Buyers typically search for 10 weeks and look at seven homes, according to a 2024 National Association of Realtors report. The report also revealed it’s taking younger generations, like millennials, longer to find a house than it took previous ones.

Having a clear idea of your wants and needs—and the distinction between the two—is essential. This is very personal, depending on your family and life circumstances. For example, you might want a fenced-in yard for the dogs, but you could live without it. In contrast, a dedicated home office or enough bedrooms to accommodate a growing family may be non-negotiable for you.

Step 4: Submit an offer (up to a week)

Once you find a home, your real estate agent will help you submit an offer to the seller. Attach your mortgage pre-approval letter if you'll finance the purchase—or a proof-of-funds letter if it's a cash offer. The seller will respond in one of three ways: rejecting it, accepting it, or making a counteroffer with a higher price and/or different terms.

Then it’s your turn to counter on price and terms—such as asking the seller to help with closing costs or make repairs. Your real estate agent can help you negotiate and reach an agreement with the seller.

Step 5: Close on your loan (30 to 60 days)

Once the purchase agreement is signed, you’ll go under contract. This step can be lengthy, depending on your financial situation and the local real estate market. The closing period generally includes the following action items:

• A home appraisal: The lender will order an appraisal to verify the home's value. If the appraisal comes in lower than your offer, you'll need to negotiate with the seller on price, make a larger down payment, or resume your home search.
• A home inspection: Lenders don't generally require a home inspection. However, getting one is recommended so you know exactly what you're buying. After this step, buyers can ask the owner to make repairs or renegotiate on price.
• A title search: A title search confirms whether the seller has the legal right to transfer ownership to you and reveals any claims, easements, liens, and restrictive covenants that could affect your purchase.
• Underwriting: Your lender will verify your income, assets, debts, employment, and credit history to confirm your mortgage eligibility. Throughout the mortgage process, avoid doing anything that could negatively impact your credit, such as opening a new line of credit, making a large purchase, or changing jobs.
• Closing disclosures: You'll receive a closing disclosure from your lender at least three business days before your closing date. The document explains your loan term, amount, interest rate, closing costs, cash needed to close, and monthly mortgage payment.
• Final walkthrough: The day before closing, you'll do a final walkthrough to ensure the previous owners have moved out and completed any agreed-upon home repairs.
• Closing: This is when the home is officially transferred to you. You'll present your ID and proof of homeowners insurance, and pay the down payment and other closing costs that aren't rolled into the loan. You'll also review and sign several legal documents. At the end, you’ll receive the keys to your new home.

How to avoid delays when buying a house

Delays in the homebuying and negotiating process is common. According to a survey of realtors in May 2024, five percent of contracts in the previous three months were terminated, while 13% had delays but eventually closed. (Appraisal issues were the most common cause of delays.) Here are a few tips for keeping your home purchase on track.

Get pre-approved before starting your home search

Getting a pre-approval letter demonstrates to sellers and realtors that you're a serious buyer who can get financing. It also gives you a target price so you can focus your search on homes within your budget.

Keep your finances stable

Your mortgage pre-approval is based on your financial situation at a specific point in time. Avoid doing anything that could damage your credit or change your debt-to-income ratio, such as opening new credit, changing jobs, or making a major purchase.

Keep your lender updated

Once you move into the closing stage, your lender will request various documents to verify your financial situation and loan eligibility, and you'll also need to sign several disclosures. Respond to your lender's requests immediately and check in regularly to ensure you haven't missed anything.

Do your due diligence

The due diligence period gives you time to ask questions, investigate the home, and address problems before closing. But buyers only have a specific, agreed-upon period to do this. Set up appointments early and follow up to ensure everything is completed on time.

The due diligence process might include:

• A home inspection (including for wood-destroying organisms, lead-based paint, radon gas, and defective drywall).
• A home appraisal.
• A land survey.
• Reading seller disclosures.
• Obtaining homeowners insurance.
• The title search and title insurance.
• Reviewing homeowners association (HOA) covenants and restrictions.

Keep track of repairs

If the home inspection uncovers issues, you can negotiate a lower price, get money back at closing, or ask the seller to complete the repairs. If the seller agrees to do the repairs, you (or your real estate agent) should check in regularly to ensure the repair timeline stays on track.

Be ready for the closing

You'll need to bring an ID, proof of homeowners insurance, and cash to close when you close on your loan. Be sure you have everything you'll need so you don't leave the closing table empty-handed.

TIME Stamp: The average time to close is 43 days

Buying a house is a time-consuming process. While the average time to close is about six weeks once you're under contract, your financial situation and the local real estate market can shorten or lengthen the timeline. For example, an all-cash offer can shorten the time to as few as two weeks, while you may be repeatedly outbid in a red-hot market. Still, knowing what to expect (and what to avoid) can make the process easier—and help you get into your new home sooner.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How many months does it typically take to buy a house?

The average time to close is 43 days once you're under contract, according to data from ICE Mortgage. Of course, the homeownership journey looks different for everyone, so your timeline could be shorter (e.g., if it's a cash purchase) or longer (e.g., if you have trouble finding a home or obtaining financing).

How long before buying a house should I start looking?

As a general guideline, you should start the home search at least five to six months before you want to move so you have time to organize your finances, get pre-approved for a mortgage, find a house, and close on the loan.

How long does it take to get a mortgage?

The mortgage approval process typically takes 30 to 60 days from the time you apply to closing. Having your finances in order and getting pre-approved can help keep the process on track. A low appraisal, title issues, and problems with the home can delay your mortgage approval.